Amazed police have rescued a 72-year-old woman after she survived a 600-foot fall with barely a scratch when her car plummeted down a remote canyon and was then stuck there for days awaiting rescue.

Penny Kay Clark had been reported missing by her worried family in Nampa, Idaho State, USA, after she lost contact with them on 5th December.

And police feared the worst when passers-by reported seeing a crashed car at the bottom of a ravine five days later (10th December).

But astonished rescuers found Penny sitting 40 feet from the car on the canyon floor, conscious and fully alert.

Pictures of the crashed Chevrolet SUV show it with its front end crushed, showing it had plunged head-first down the slope and slammed heavily into the rocks.

The car’s wheels are sticking out at odd angles, and two tyres seem to have been stripped off as it thundered down the ravine.

Mountain search and rescue experts helped Penny back to the top where she was seen by paramedics before being helicoptered to hospital for further treatment.

Local sheriff Kieran Donahue said in a statement: “This is frankly one of the most miraculous incidents that I can recall in all my years in law enforcement, and it’s a true testament to the strength and fortitude of Penny Clark.

“The medics who evaluated her on scene believe that she had been there for at least a couple of days, and more than likely since Tuesday when her family last had contact with her.

“It’s truly a miracle, and I’m hopeful that she makes a full recovery.

“I want to thank all of the agencies who assisted us today, particularly Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, for their efforts in bringing Ms. Clark to safety.

“I’d also like to sincerely thank the two men who came upon the vehicle and had the wherewithal to determine that it was likely connected to the missing person reported by Nampa PD.

“This was a true team effort.”